The Tactical Times

Fallujah, 2007: a city long scarred by conflict, where insurgents once ruled the streets. Amid the chaos, a bold experiment in security and community rebuilding unfolded. Operation Alljah didn’t just fight insurgents—it gave residents a reason to hope. From neighborhood precincts and ID distribution to patrols alongside Iraqi police, discover how coalition forces and locals worked together to reclaim a city and reshape the future of urban counterinsurgency

Amid the narrow streets and tense checkpoints of Taji, Iraq, U.S. Army forces pressed forward in mid-September 2007. Operation Colt combined precision building searches, vigilant traffic control, and rapid medical support to challenge insurgent networks and secure key urban terrain. This mission showcased the coordination, resilience, and determination of troops operating on Baghdad’s northern frontlines.

In 2007, U.S. and Iraqi forces carried out Operation Head Hunter in Tarmiyah, Iraq, striking deep into insurgent-controlled neighborhoods. The mission targeted weapons caches, disrupted militant networks, and reinforced Iraqi security capabilities, showcasing the importance of intelligence-driven raids in a high-stakes counterinsurgency campaign.

Overview The Battle for Hussein Hamadi Operation Ultra Magnus unfolded in late October 2007 in southern Diyala province, Iraq. The focal point of the mission was the village of Hussein Hamadi, which had become one of al-Qaeda in Iraq’s (AQI)...

In the summer of 2007, Baqubah—once declared the capital of al-Qaeda’s Islamic State of Iraq—became the focus of one of the fiercest offensives of the war. Operation Arrowhead Ripper unleashed thousands of U.S. and Iraqi troops in a brutal urban battle to reclaim the city block by block. What followed was a campaign of intense street fighting, hidden explosives, and the liberation of a population living under terror. This is the story of how Baqubah was taken back—and what it revealed about the limits of victory in Iraq.

In late 2007, U.S. forces launched Operations Rock Jackhammer and Rock Reaper to dismantle insurgent networks, clear weapons caches, and restore stability to Diyala province. These targeted missions showcased coordinated air-ground tactics and marked a key step in the broader campaign to secure northern Iraq.

In a city scarred by years of insurgency, Salman Pak’s streets had fallen silent and its markets abandoned. But in late 2007, a new mission sought to turn fear into opportunity. Operation Market Garden wasn’t about seizing bridges or winning battles—it was about restoring life, commerce, and hope. As coalition and Iraqi forces patrolled the city and microgrants brought shops back to life, the quiet hum of everyday life began to return. Could the heartbeat of a community rise again from the ruins of war?

In October 2007, south of Baqubah, Charlie Troop of the 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment launched Operation Shock Wave—a quiet but determined push to root out insurgents, win local trust, and expand security in Iraq’s volatile Diyala Province.

In December 2007, Operation Thunder Reaper cleared and repaired vital roads in Mosul, restoring safe passage for civilians and coalition forces alike. Discover how engineers, soldiers, and Iraqi partners worked together to rebuild a city under fire.